Related Cos. returns attention to WPB convention center hotel

Now that it has settled the foreclosure lawsuit at nearby CityPlace, Related Companies will turn its attention to the long-planned Palm Beach County convention center hotel, the Palm Beach Post reported.

The county selected Related to develop a 400-room Hilton hotel in early 2010 and vowed to contribute $27 million to the $100 million project.

But the developer has moved slowly on the project as it attempted to rescue its CityPlace complex from foreclosure.

There was “a four-month period by which their attention was diverted, and all their efforts were focused on closing the CityPlace deal,” said Shannon LaRocque, an assistant county administrator. But now, she said, “We’re definitely seeing increased activity.”

The hotel would likely open in West Palm Beach 2015, the Post said, but couldn’t come sooner for business leaders in the area, who say the hotel is badly needed. [Palm Beach Post]